INTRODUCTION

THE DEVELOPMENT OF ICE RESURFACING

Frank Zamboni built his first ice resurfacer in 1949, the following year he founded the Zamboni company in Paramount, USA.  Even the sweltering Californian climate did not deter the growth of the Zamboni and it emerged as the dominant ice resurfacer on the market. 

The manufacturing of Zamboni models A through H continued through the decades without many departures from the original design.

It was in the late 60’s that a welder in Elmira, Ontario designed a new ice resurfacer. Andrew Schlupp launched the Olympia ice resurfacer and Zamboni discovered that the new rival would soon become a contender.  Electric powered resurfacers were also eventually tried but despite some minor advances, the principal method of processing the ice remained same as it was in 1949.

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